Soldiers remembered in Memorial Day service

Photo by Tom Kelly III
Members of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 780 and Manatawny Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution place American Flags at the graves of the 17 Revolutionary War soldiers at Ellis Woods Park on Sunday.

EAST COVENTRY — Dozens turned out to begin Memorial Day observances Sunday for a ceremony honoring 17 Revolutionary War-era American soldiers buried in Ellis Woods Park.

“They were simple individuals who joined together to fight for a cause that was bigger than themselves,” said Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-26). “If you think about it, our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen have always done that.”

The soldiers, whose graves are located in the small clearing surrounded by thick woods, fought with George Washington’s Continental Army and died when they were encamped in the area between 1777 and 1778 following local battles such as the Battle of Brandywine and Battle of Germantown.

More than 230 years after the soldiers succumbed to their wounds or sickness, the markers set aside in Ellis Woods to honor them received fresh 13-star American Flags and bouquets of red, white and blue carnations.

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“It’s a wonderful thing,” said Bill Kain, head of the Joint Veterans Council of Pottstown. “We’ve been doing it for years.”

Kain said the plot is owned by the Joint Veterans Council and is lent to East Coventry. Originally, it was owned by the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans organization established after the Civil War by former Union Army soldiers.

Several different local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts participated in the ceremony, along with the Manatawny chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Boy Scouts Troop 99.

For another year, the Ches-Mont Jubilaries sang several songs including “Faith of Our Fathers” and “God Bless America.”

David Arcuri, a Navy veteran who currently works at the Limerick Generating Station, provided the keynote speech.

“I’m looking at the 17 graves of men who gave their lives for a cause they believed in and, frankly, did not know the outcome,” Arcuri said.

He emphasized the importance of passing on the stories of those who inspire the traditions of Memorial Day.

“It’s very important we teach our young people not only what happened in history, but why it happened,” Arcuri said. “We wouldn’t be here if men and women didn’t (answer the call of duty). We need to teach our children why we’re here.”

One of those children in attendance, Boy Scout Simon Keene, took part in raising a 13-starred American flag to half-staff.

“It’s nice to remember and hear about these soldiers,” he said. “I think I want to come back next year.”

After a rifle salute, “Taps” was played by a single bugler. Following that, a pair of bagpipers from the Hamilton Celtic Pipe and Drum Band played “Amazing Grace” to close the ceremony.

As they did so, a member of the detail that fired the salute held a hand to his mouth and looked at the ground. As the drone of the bagpipes finished, he quietly wiped his eyes then helped the rest of the detail search for the cartriges their rifles just expelled.

“I think it’s important for (my children) to hear these stories,” said Naomi Keene, Simon’s mother.